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Thursday, July 11, 2013

For the next few weeks we will be seeing India's Bridal Week from such exotic local as Mumbai and this year in the nation's capital Delhi. However, 2014 will see a huge change...Vijay Singh, managing director, Fashion One International, is reported to have announced that in 2014 they will take the show International."We're going to London next year. I believe that any specific industry requires a new market. If you look at the Indian fashion industry, every designer is a name in outside countries as well. So why not (go international)," Singh said at the recent event.Now - why would that be important to a Jewelry blog? Jewelry has traditionally featured heavily in the Indian Bridal look...so we are excited to see which jewelry houses are selected by the Bridal Fashion Lines for this first International Exhibit!!!

While Valaya is the opening designer, Tahiliani will present the closing collection.

There will also be a bridal expo - The Bridal Luxury Couture Exposition - which will run simultaneous with the IBFW. It will feature 65 top designers and creative wedding planners who will interact directly with the customers."

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

NICHE magazine is now accepting applications for the 2014 NICHE Awards, a prestigious juried competition recognizing excellence in fine craft design. Professional and student artists may apply online.

Contest categories include ceramics, fiber, glass, metal, wood and jewelry arts. Recently added new categories seek original artist-made holiday ornaments and decorations; objects for the kitchen and for dining; and jewelry made from alternative materials.

The NICHE Student Awards are open to any craft student residing in the U.S. or Canada and attending an undergraduate, graduate or certificate arts program. The deadline for student entries is Oct. 15, 2013.

The NICHE Professional Awards are open to professional craft artists over the age of 21 who reside in the U.S. or Canada and are actively involved in the design and production of craftwork supplied to galleries and/or craft shops. The deadline for professional entries is Sept. 16, 2013.

From One Coat to Another by Myra Crandall. Savannah College of Art and Design. Category: Fiber Wearable

Judging of entries is based on three main criteria:

Technical excellence in surface design and form

Distinct quality of original and creative thought

Market viability (professional entries only)

Finalists are invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the Buyers Market of American Craft, January 18-21, 2014, in Philadelphia. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony held during the Buyers Market and featured in the Spring 2014 issue of NICHE magazine.

Application and entry fee information, rules and guidelines are now available at NicheAwards.com.

The Story of the 17 year old English girl that married Prince Bira of Siam is the stuff of Hollywood movies - tumultuous (they divorced and married three times) and of course filled with gifts of amazing jewels - see the entire story here from the Daily Mail UK!

Londoner Ceril Heycock and Prince Bira, late 1940s

The most famous is this suite of Opal Jewels:

Sotheby's upcoming Fine Jewels auction will be held in two sessions tomorrow...or more specifically tonight if, like me you are on the Left Coast of the US.

Featured are over 300 lots dating from the 19th to the 21st century, including a large collection of cufflinks, principally from the 1920s and 30s.

Browse all items in the sale, including the 'Mini Baignoire' lady's diamond cocktail watch by Cartier, as well as magnificent opals, some of which were formerly in the collection of Princess Ceril Birabongse of Siam.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

More than 1,000 African students were introduced to gem and jewelry education opportunities at the Career Indaba trade show in Johannesburg, June 20-22, as part of the seventh annual Africa Education Week. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) exhibited at the event for the first time, building on its endeavors bringing industry-leading gemological and design education to the nations that produce diamonds and other gems. The Institute’s representatives met with prospective students, handing out education materials and discussing gemology and jewelry program options.

GIA, a global independent organization dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry through research, education and laboratory services, was the only organization of its kind to exhibit at Career Indaba. Attendees learned that a passion for gems and a keen eye are the two most important prerequisites to embark on an education with the Institute, which offers courses in diamonds, colored gems, pearls and jewelry design.

“GIA was new and exciting to the students, and responses about our education programs have been pouring in since the event,” said Elizabeth Bokaba, GIA’s manager of alumni and client relations in South Africa. “Africa Education Week is an outstanding opportunity to reach students who wish to enrich their studies. We absolutely plan to return in the future.”

Since 2008, GIA has expanded its presence in Africa, opening two full-time laboratories and offering classes in Gaborone and Johannesburg, establishing partnerships with government agencies and universities throughout the continent, and maintaining a global network of active alumni. Today, there are more than 800 alumni and two GIA Alumni Chapters in Africa.

Many students and schools were also interested in GIA’s Junior Gemologist Program™, which gives students from ages of 10-15 the opportunity to discover the world of gemology through hands-on, practical training. Plans are currently underway to expand the program, which was introduced to Africa in 2012.

Monday, July 8, 2013

New York City, home to the renowned New York Diamond District, and many famed jewelry enthusiasts who will shop aisles and aisles of one-of-a-kind merchandise at the upcoming New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show. U.S. Antique Shows, the world’s leading producer of indoor antique shows which focus on antiques, including antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, announces today that it will host its 7th Annual New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show at The Metropolitan Pavilion, July 26 – 29, 2013.

More than one hundred of the most prestigious dealers in the industry will showcase their unique antique and estate jewelry and watches to New York’s celebrities, artists, musicians, residents and visitors during the annual show. “Not only is New York City the fashion and media center of the world, it’s also the jewelry capital,” said Dan Darby, GLM vice president and U.S. Antique Shows group director. “And celebrities, VIP’s and industry insiders from around the globe come to the city to attend the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show to discover extraordinary, one of a kind pieces. It’s the perfect occasion for them to connect with the most prominent dealers in the jewelry and watch community.”

This year during recent award shows movie stars and pop royalty dazzled the crowd and viewers at home while wearing one-of-a-kind, precious jewelry and timepieces from around the world. Jennifer Garner was stunning in a designer dress and diamond-studded necklace while Kristen Stewart wore rose gold and old mine cut diamond necklace, with 91 graduated diamonds, approximately 10 carats. Other celebs known for their sophisticated NYC jewelry and watch style include Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine and the queen of New York fashion, "Sex and the City's" Sarah Jessica Parker.

In its seventh year, the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show offers an intimate setting for attendees to walk the Show floor and search for that one of a kind timepiece while learning about the fascinating world of antique jewelry from industry experts. Elegant and distinctive signed pieces from famous designers names including Cartier, Tiffany & Co., David Webb, Harry Winston, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef & Arpels and many others will infuse the show floor at The Metropolitan Pavilion. Additionally, all categories of jewelry such as cameos, tennis bracelets, rings, decorative necklaces, brooches, gemstones and pendants will be available. These stunning collections represent all eras of jewelry history from the Georgian to Art Deco era.

Show times are Friday, July 26, 1:00pm – 7:00pm; Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28, 11:00am – 7:00pm and Monday, July 29, 11:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is $20 to attend all four days. For more information about the show, or to purchase tickets, please call (239) 732 – 6642 or visit NYAntiqueJewelry.com.

About U.S. Antique Shows
The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show is produced by U.S. Antique Shows, a division of GLM. U.S. Antique Shows is the world’s largest producer of indoor antique shows that focus on antiques, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, including The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, the world's largest indoor antique show, Miami National Antique Show, and shows focused on antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches. U.S. Antique Shows produces events in major markets including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Miami Beach and New York and brings together well established dealers with a targeted audience of antiques collectors as well as novice enthusiasts to promote the purchase and appreciation of rare and unusual historic merchandise. U.S. Antique Shows annually draws more than 2,400 dealers and represents 22 countries that exhibit rare and signature collections to more than 50,000 consumers from around the world.

The National Association of
Jewelry Appraisers announces its 40th Annual Mid-Year Conference to be held in
PittsburghPA, August 10 – 13, 2013 at
the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.

The appraisal organization
dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to
assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an
unparalleled networking experience.

This unprecedented four day
conference has overall themes – Workshops, Antique Jewelry, Jewelry and Appraisals!
Every session is an experience on various aspects of the focused topics -
a real service for appraising gems and jewelry.
THIS is what every professional gemologist/appraiser needs!

Earlier this year, to honor the coronation of King Willem-Alexander, Royal Asscher® launched a grand, new jewelry collection. The aptly named ‘Fancy Royals’ collection is set with the most lively orange diamonds and sapphires in honor of the Dutch Royal family (The House of Orange).

The line features three unique rings available in 18 carat gold set with orange and white diamonds and silver with orange sapphires and white diamonds. Prices start at $2.575

Over the years, Royal Asscher® has always had a close knit relationship with various Royal families throughout the world.

In 1908 the Asscher brothers from Amsterdam cut the biggest diamond in the world: the Cullinan. The Cullinan I (530cts) was so large that 9 sizeable diamonds were cut from it and mounted in the cross of the Scepter, the Cullinan II (317crts) is mounted in St. Edward's Crown. Both are part of the Royal Crown Jewels and on permanent display in the Tower of London.

In 1980 Her Majesty Queen Juliana of the Netherlands granted the Asscher Diamond Company the Royal title as acknowledgment to both the company and family's leading role in the diamond industry. In 2011 this Royal title was extended for another 25 years so in honoring the House of Orange they also pay homage to their own history.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

If the excitement about the demand for polished diamonds at the JCK Las Vegas show is an indication, the upcoming US & International Diamond Week in Israel in August is going to be extraordinary, both for the foreign visitors and for the Israeli diamond companies participating in this prestigious event, Yair Sahar, President of the Israel Diamond Exchange said, speaking at the Israeli diamond pavilion at the JCK Las Vegas show.

"The demand for diamonds in the US market is much stronger now," Sahar said. "Wholesalers and retailers need to replenish their stocks. Surely, at the upcoming Diamond Week in August, we will see this translated into healthy business transactions on the trading floor of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE)."

"We've been receiving a lot of interest in the next edition of the Diamond Week in August. During the past week alone, in Israel, hundreds of local firms have already signed up to exhibit their goods. At the same time, we're busy processing numerous registrations for foreign, accredited diamond dealers. They will be meeting and doing business with some 500 Israeli companies exhibiting a vast range of loose diamonds at prices direct from the manufacturers," Sahar added.

"We've come up with a unique, purely business-oriented model for this event. All activities will take place on the spacious and secure trading floor of the Israel Diamond Exchange. There are no costly booths or advertising or marketing expenses. In addition, we are offering foreign visitors generously subsidized hotel accommodation at hotels close to the exchange. In short, the summer edition of US & International Diamond Week in Israel will be a great business experience," Sahar concluded

The UK Jewellery Awards were given out, 17 in all, by TV personality Dawn O'Porter who hosted a lively crowd at the Natural History Museum in London.

Highlights included Designer of the Year going to Sophie Harley - Store Design to Bremont (who took two awards) and a special nod to Simon Fraser Author and Course Director at Central Saint Martins for his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.